TEHRAN: Iran has named Ismail Qaani new Quds chief after Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani was assassinated early this morning (Friday 3rd of January, 2019) in a US strike on Baghdad’s international airport.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani as one of the most decorated commanders of the Guards during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88: “Following the martyrdom of the glorious general Hajj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani. I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance,” Khamenei stated.
Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani
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According to details Soleimani was targeted by US helicopters. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was also one of the seven people who were killed. Their vehicle was hit by airstrike on the road to airport.
Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan has said that country viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region. FO stated that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity were fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to.
Pakistan also urged to avoid unilateral actions and use of force. FO has asked all parties to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means, in accordance with UN Charter and international law.
It is pertinent to mention here that the tensions escalated following Trump’s decision in May 2018 apropos withdrawal of the US from Iran’s nuclear deal that was signed under his predecessor.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Trump accuses Iran of attack on US Embassy in Baghdad
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has taken to the Twitter to state that Iran would be held fully responsible for orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq.
“Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible.
“In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!” Trump was referring to the attack by Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions at the US embassy in Baghdad today,” Trump stated.
According to details the attackers breached the outer wall of the Embassy chanting death to america.
Sources reported that members of the Iraqi pro-Iranian Hashed al-Shaabi group and protesters set ablaze a sentry box in front of the US embassy building in Baghdad. Men and women marched through checkpoints to the embassy walls.
Protesters were angry over the air strikes that resulted into death of two dozen fighters. been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone. The demonstrators waved flags in support of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a mostly Shia network of Iraqi armed groups that has received training and weapons from powerful neighbor Iran.
They not only hurled stones but also destroyed security cameras despite warnings from the embassy to leave the premises. When the guards opened fire, used tear gas and flash band stun grenades some sixty-two protesters got injured.
Commenting on the development Caretaker PM Adel Abdel Mahdi held that the crowds that had stormed the US Embassy should leave the compound immediately: “We recall that any aggression or harassment of foreign embassies will be firmly prohibited by the security forces.” Though many pulled back others continued the sit-in.
News Pakistan
